Follow the steps below to complete your essay, and use the links provided to assist with your research and writing. When you have finished your essay, use the drop box to submit it to your teacher. Select a topic: Before creating your report, review the sources in the Resources section below to better understand the purpose, process, and goals of a research assignment.

The first step in writing a historical investigation is to select a topic. In this case, you’ll select a topic based on an aspect of colonialism or the Age of Reason. An example might be Puritanism in early America.
Begin brainstorming ideas by thinking about your prior knowledge of the topic.
Do some preliminary research to help you select a relevant, interesting topic.
Choose a thesis statement: As you narrow your topic, begin thinking about the stance or viewpoint your writing will take. Once you have a general idea, develop a thesis statement, or main idea, of an essay that includes the topic and the viewpoint. The following are sample theses for historical investigation reports on colonialism or the Age of Reason:

The Declaration of Independence is shaped by the most prominent ideals of the Age of Reason.
Puritanism had a large impact on the development of the American identity, which is evident in Jonathan Edwards's sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."
Thomas Paine's essays Common Sense and The Crisis provided the inspiration for American colonists to revolt against Great Britain.
Make sure the thesis is relevant to the assignment. Keep in mind that as you continue researching and begin writing, your thesis may change slightly. Check with your teacher to make sure the topic you chose is appropriate and feasible.

Gather sources: Begin gathering and organizing additional sources to build your argument. It is important to understand the purpose of your research. Evaluate each source and consider these questions:

Who authored the document?
What is the purpose of the document?
When was the document written?
How will this document help your argument?
Develop your position: Now that you have analyzed sources to use as evidence, revisit the essay question. Then develop your report with these factors in mind:

Create an outline to help organize the structure of your report.
Research information to support your thesis.
Match the evidence in your sources to the points in your report.
Write your first draft: Write a historical investigation report about an aspect of colonialism or the Age of Reason. As you write your paper, use quotations from and summaries of your sources to support your argument. To avoid plagiarism, cite your sources properly with in-text citations and a works cited page.

Proofread and Revise: When you are finished writing your first draft, reread your essay to check for the above points. Then proofread and revise to catch any errors in grammar, spelling, logic, or cohesion. Finally, develop a final draft that is polished and ready to be turned in.